Art and Science of Laboratory Medicine

Art and Science of Laboratory Medicine

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Do doctors understand test results?

Are doctors confused by statistics? A new book by one prominent statistician says they are - and that this makes it hard for patients to make informed decisions about treatment.

A 50-year-old woman, no symptoms, participates in routine mammography screening. She tests positive, is alarmed, and wants to know from you whether she has breast cancer for certain or what the chances are. Apart from the screening results, you know nothing else about this woman. How many women who test positive actually have breast cancer? What is the best answer?

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Do doctors understand test results?



Source: BBC News

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